(15 March 2006 17:45)
Coastal Research Group – Policy Statements
Title: Family Medicine Residency Impact on the Medical Community
Keywords
Physician workforce
Quality of care
Quality assurance
Standard of care
Patient safety
Medical community
Distribution / Mal-distribution
Policy/Position Statement
Family medicine residency programs generate favorable impacts in their medical communities, including the raising of quality standards and the rejuvenation/replenishment of the physician workforce.
Background
Introduction to the National Project
Since 2000, the Coastal Research Group National Project on the Community Benefits of Family Medicine Residency Programs has amassed a robust database on the services provided by a diverse sample of family medicine programs. That sample reflects the distribution of residency program characteristics nationally. From this database has been derived a detailed taxonomy of the services delivered to the patient populations served by those programs.
Pertinent Data
Data from this project supports the observation that the impacts of a family medicine residency program on their local medical community include:
o Residency programs have increased the number of family physicians in their communities.
o Graduates have established practices in these communities, and replaced older and retired GPs with board-certified family physicians.
o Impact on the composition of…
o Impact on the demographics of…
o Impact on the systems-based proficiencies of…
o Impact on the recruitment of…
A. Hospital’s medical staff
B. Community physician workforce
o Workforce multiplier effect (call schedule coverage, admission of unassigned patients, obstetrical deliveries “feeding” pediatrics, etc.)
o Family medicine programs and their graduates differentiate themselves to meet unique community needs.
o Expands local/regional primary care base.
o Introduces and maintains evidence-based medicine and enhanced standard of care.
Conclusions
Family medicine residencies benefit both the physicians and patients of their communities.
Future Considerations
Physician workforce issues including numbers, training and distribution.
The benefits of community partnerships with health systems.
The use of family medicine residency programs as sentinel innovators for health care delivery.
References
1. Starfield B, Shi L, Macinko C — Contribution of Primary Care to Health Systems and Health. The Milbank Quarterly 83(3):457-502 (2005)
2. IOM Report — Crossing the Quality Chasm — (http://www.iom.edu/CMS/8089.aspx)
3. Goldberg W, Goldfrank L, Smith PC, Green LA, Lanier D, Yawn BP – The Ecology of Medical Care Revisited. N Engl J Med 345:1211-1212 (2001)
4. Green LA, Fryer GE — The Development and Goals of the AAFP Center for Policy Studies in Family Practice and Primary Care. JFP 48:905-908 (1999)
5. 25+ Years: Oklahoma Physician Manpower Training Commission — Oct. 2001
Glossary
Medical community — The medical environment in which health care professionals work, in both ambulatory or inpatient settings.
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This policy statement is a product of the Coastal Research Group (CRG) Policy Analysis Committee, Task Force on Family Medicine Center Benefits
Chair, Working Group on FMRP Impact on Medical Community: Charles Henley, DO
Last Updated (18 May 2006 07:40)